Originally published November 29 2005
Biodiesel companies attempting to boost production
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Kentucky-based Griffin Industries produces 2 million gallons of biodiesel annually and is looking to expand its market after the promise of an increased demand created by rising fuel prices.
If diesel fuel prices remain at sky high levels, motorists may soon be filling up with recycled french fry grease produced by a small Northern Kentucky company.
Griffin Industries, a family-owned business based in Cold Spring, already produces about 2 million gallons of biodiesel a year at a six-year-old plant in Butler, Ky., north of Falmouth.
The company is considering pouring $70 million more into two new biodiesel plants that each would have 20 times the annual capacity of its existing plant.
Historically, it's been more expensive than petroleum-based diesel fuel, but higher oil prices and hurricane-related refinery outages have given biodiesel a cost advantage, at least for now.
Griffin recycles agricultural waste, restaurant grease and cooking oil.
Dennis Griffin, president of the family-owned business, said it has already drawn up plans for the new plants, but no final decision has been made on moving forward.
The company is evaluating the petroleum markets, trying to forecast future oil prices that would enable the plants to operate profitably, he said.
Another area biodiesel producer also expects to expand its output.
Peter Cremer North America L.P., an oleochemical company based in Sedamsville, produces biodiesel from soybean oil at the Ivorydale complex in St. Bernard and Winton Hills.
Procter & Gamble was the first U.S. producer of biodiesel, at a Kansas City plant in 1991, said Mack Findley, a former P&G Chemicals account executive who now works for Peter Cremer as sales manager for Cremer's North American operations.
Cincinnati-based Lykins Oil distributes a 10 percent blend through six tri-state gas stations and also supplies it to bus and commercial vehicle fleets in the area.
Depending on day-to-day market conditions, consumers can save a few cents per gallon using biodiesel, said Ron Lykins, vice president of Lykins Oil.
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